Strategy to develop Vietnamese film industry to 2020, vision 2030 (Prime Minister’s Decision 2156/QĐ-TTg dated November 11, 2013)
To develop the film industry towards industrialisation, modernization, and integration, imbued with national identity, satisfying people’s demand to enjoy a rich cultural and spiritual life, especially those living in the remote, rural, under developing areas. From now until 2030, step by step develop Vietnamese film industry into an influential one in the regions of Southeast Asia in particular and Asia in general.
The new policy on the development of cinema industry formulated in the Strategy to develop Vietnamese Film industry to 2020, vision 2030 has specified the State’s position towards the film industry with clear objectives, solutions, and road maps which reflect the reality and current development trends over the last few years. This measure set up its objectives to advance the Vietnamese film industry into an influential one in the regions of Southeast Asia and Asia through innovative film creation, production, distribution and exhibition, human resource development, technology transfer, financial investment, international cooperation, and socialized film activities nationwide.
The Strategy aims to influence the core of industry development to enhance creativity, improve State management, human resource training, resource mobilization, social awareness and international cooperation. Moreover, the promulgation of an Action plan and the Masterplan for film development after the approval of the Strategy will specify the solutions formulated in the Strategy. As a result, it can be seen that at the industry level, the Strategy to develop Vietnamese film industry is a measure that can bring about rapid changes and high feasibility as it directly addresses existing problems of the industry in the past several years as well as the stagnation of film producers and exhibitors in the State-owned sector, poor facilities, production techniques, and unsatisfactory supply of cinema products and services, violation of copy rights, lack of proper management and support for development and healthy competition in Viet Nam’s cinema market, insufficient support and development opportunities for Viet Nam’s cinema talents, audiences as well as public-private partnership mechanisms.
- Film production: Increase the number and quality of each type of films, diversifying film genres: By 2020, produce 40-45 feature films per year, 36-48 films per year for each type of documentary, scientific films, animated films; By 2030, it is expected to produce 55-60 feature films per year, 48-72 films per year for each type of documentary, scientific films, animated films.
- Film distribution and exhibition: Increase the exhibition rate of Vietnamese films in cinemas, number of cinemas and audience size/diversity.
By 2020: Rate of Vietnamese films: Screenings of Vietnamese feature films should account for at least 35% out of the total in cinemas, 30%-35% of Vietnamese feature films in all distributed films. The number of film audiences should reach 95 million per year; the number of screens: 550 (70% of which belongs to private sector).
Expected by 2030: Screening of Vietnamese feature films should account for at least 45% out of the total shows in cinemas, 40% of Vietnamese feature films in all distributed films. The number of film audiences should reach 210 million per year; the number of screens: 1050 (80% of which belongs to private sector).
- Human resources training: Priority should be given to some professions such as film directors, producers, script writers, critics, cinematographers, art designers, technical and technological artists, actors and actresses; Forms of training: Intensive short-term courses, formal training both locally and abroad.
- International integration: It is expected to develop Vietnamese film industry by 2020 to be one of the leading cinema in the Southeast Asian region, and by 2030 to gain a firm standing in Asia. By 2020, film exports should reach 20% of the total number of films produced each year, co-production films with foreign partners to increase 15% per year.
By 2030, film exports should reach 30% of the total number of films produced each year, co-production films with foreign partners to increase 25% per year.
Financial resources: From the State’s budget and other legal donations from individuals and institutions. The State’s budget is allocated annually in accordance with the current regulations.
- The system of State management regulations and documents of Vietnamese cinema is gradually completing.
- The socialization of cinema activities has helped revive the Vietnamese cinema and develop with diversified genres and styles in both State-owned and private sectors.
- The trend of public-private partnership is supported by both sides thanks to the benefits it has brought about. At the same time, some films commissioned by the State have won important prizes in different Film Festivals in Viet Nam and abroad.
- Young talented film makers with expertise and entrepreneurial skills have increasingly grown.
- Vietnamese overseas directors came back to Viet Nam to make films, creating more human resources and generating new film making experiences.
- More foreign investment and cooperation in film production and exhibition in Viet Nam.
- There is a need for an additional focus on digitalization in the film industry – exploring digital distribution platforms, new business models and emergent market opportunities. Future strategic activities will need to focus on shifting patterns to production and consumption in cinema.